Gaming machine

ABSTRACT

In the gaming machine, when the game state shifts to the bonus game, the player selects at least one of the touch button areas  111˜113  displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4  by touching thereon. At that time, if the player adjusts utilization state of the rotation scroll bar  121  displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4 , the lower liquid crystal display  4  can be controlled so that the touch button areas other than the touch button areas  111˜113  are displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4  and the touch button areas  111˜113  are not displayed on the lower liquid crystal display  4.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATIONS(S)

This application is based upon and claims a priority from the priorJapanese Patent Application Nos. 2004-159804 filed on May 28, 2004,2005-137706 filed on May 10, 2005, 2004-159805 filed on May 28, 2004 and2005-137743 filed on May 10, 2005, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine in which a bonus gameis processed based on a limb selected among a plurality of limbs by aplayer.

2. Description of Related Art

In a conventional gaming machine, for example, a slot machine, a winningstate is determined according to a symbol combination displayed on anactivated pay line after a coin is inserted. And as the winning state,for example, there exist a so-called “big prize” in which more than 1000coins are paid out and a so-called “small prize” in which less than 1000coins are paid out and a so-called “obtainment of second game” in whicha second game can be done as a sub-game, as disclosed in UnexaminedJapanese Publication No. 11-244453.

At this point, the “second game” is called as a bonus game and thereexist various bonus games. Here, showing one of the bonus games as anexample, as shown in National Publication of the Translation Version No.2002-537874, there exists a bonus game that a plurality of limbs, foreach of which a payout is allotted beforehand, are displayed on a videodisplay screen and a player can obtain a payout corresponding to thelimb selected by himself/herself while seeing the video display screen.

In this case, the player can only select the limb among a plurality oflimbs presently displayed on the video display screen, therefore theplay style thereof becomes very simple. Thus, interest for the bonusgame is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been done to dissolve the above problems andhas an object to provide a gaming machine in which interest for thebonus game can be improved by increasing limbs to be selected.

In order to accomplish the above object, according to one aspect of thepresent invention, it is provided a gaming machine in which a base gameand a bonus game are conducted, the bonus game being conducted when apredetermined result is obtained in the base game,

-   -   the gaming machine comprising:    -   a preparation device for preparing a plurality of limbs        belonging to a first limb group in the bonus game, each of the        limbs corresponding to individual effect contents;    -   a display device for displaying a part of the limbs in the first        limb group;    -   a first operation device for operating the display device so        that a remainder except for the part of the limbs in the first        limb group is displayed on the display device;    -   a first selection device for selecting at least one of limbs in        the first limb group displayed on the display device, the limbs        including the part and the remainder thereof; and    -   a game control device for processing the bonus game according to        the effect contents corresponding to the limb selected by the        first selection device.

According to the gaming machine of the present invention, in the bonusgame, when a part of the limbs in the first limb group is displayed onthe display device and a player selects at least one of the limbs in thefirst limb group by the first selection device, the player can operatethe display device by the first operation device so that the remainderexcept for the part of the limbs in the first limb group is displayed onthe display device. And each of the limbs in the first limb groupcorresponds to individual effect contents. Therefore, the remainder ofthe limbs not displayed on the display device can be displayed by thefirst operation device and selection routes corresponding to the effectcontents can be increased, as a result, interest for the bonus game canbe improved.

The above and further objects and novel features of the invention willmore fully appear from the following detailed description when the sameis read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to beexpressly understood, however, that the drawings are for purpose ofillustration only and not intended as a definition of the limits of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with the description, serve to explain the objects, advantagesand principles of the invention.

In the drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slot machine,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a lower liquid crystal display and a reel,

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the lower liquid crystaldisplay,

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of theslot machine,

FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing a liquid crystal drivecircuit of the lower liquid crystal display,

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view schematically showing symbol columns whichare displayed on the lower liquid crystal display in a base game andvariably displayed on variable display portions;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view schematically showing a display sheetstored in a work RAM when a game state shifts to a bonus game,

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a lottery table of stop symbolswhen the base game is conducted by using three variable displayportions;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing winning combinations and payoutsthereof when the base game is conducted by using three variable displayportions;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing an image displayed on the lowerliquid crystal display when the game state shifts to the bonus game;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing an image displayed on the lowerliquid crystal display when the game state shifts to the bonus game;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing payouts when the bonus game isconducted;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view schematically showing display ranges ofthe upper liquid crystal display and the lower liquid crystal display inthe display sheet stored in the work RAM when the game state shifts tothe bonus game;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a main process program;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a start acceptance process program;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a lottery process program;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a base game process program;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a bonus game process program;

FIG. 19 is an explanatory view showing images displayed on the upperliquid crystal display and the lower liquid crystal display when thegame state shifts to the bonus game;

FIG. 20 is an explanatory view showing images displayed on the upperliquid crystal display and lower liquid crystal display when the gamestate shifts to the bonus game;

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view showing the lottery table of the winningcombinations and the payouts thereof when the base game is conducted byusing three variable display portions;

FIG. 22 is an explanatory view showing an image displayed on the lowerliquid crystal display when the game state shifts to the bonus game;

FIG. 23 is an explanatory view showing an image displayed on the lowerliquid crystal display when the game state shifts to the bonus game;

FIG. 24 is an explanatory view showing a rotation scroll bar; and

FIG. 25 is an explanatory view showing images displayed on the upperliquid crystal display and the lower liquid crystal display when thegame state shifts to the bonus game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, as the gaming machine according to the present invention,the embodiment embodying the present invention in the slot machine willbe described with reference to the drawings. First, an outlineconstruction of the slot machine according to the embodiment willdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4. FIG. 1 is a perspective viewof the slot machine. FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing acontrol system in the slot machine

In FIG. 1, the slot machine 1 has a cabinet 2 constructing a whole ofthe slot machine 1. On an upper plane of the cabinet 2, a lamp 15 isprovided. And at a front upper part of the cabinet 2 an upper liquidcrystal display 3 is arranged, and at a front central part of thecabinet 2 a lower liquid crystal display 4 is arranged. Here, the upperliquid crystal display 3 is constructed from a liquid crystal displaydevice which is generally used, and the lower liquid crystal display 4is constructed from, so-called, a transparent liquid crystal displaydevice. On the upper liquid crystal display 3, game operation method,kinds of winning combinations and payout therefor and informationconcerning with the game such as various effects thereof are displayed.And on the lower liquid crystal display 4, as shown in FIG. 1, threevariable display portions 22, 23 and 24 are basically displayed andvarious symbols formed on each of reels 220 (see FIG. 4) mentioned laterare scrolled to the downward direction from the upward direction whilebeing variably displayed on each of the variable display portions 22 to24. Here, the detailed construction of the lower liquid crystal display4 will be described hereinafter.

A control panel 5, which is projected frontward, is formed below thelower liquid crystal display 4, and from the most left side on thecontrol panel 5, a change button 6, a cashout button 7, a help button 8are arranged. And a coin insertion slot 9 and a bill insertion portion10 are arranged at the right side of help button 8. Further, from theleft side, a 1-BET button 11, a SPIN/REPEAT BET button 12, a 3-BETbutton 13 and a 5-BET button 14 are positioned at the front side on thecontrol panel 5.

Here, the change button 6 is a button to turn on the lamp 15. To thischange button 6, a change switch 62 is attached, and a switch signal isoutput to a CPU 50 from the change switch 62 based on press of thechange button 6.

The cashout button 7 is usually pressed when games are terminated, andwhen the cashout button 7 is pressed coins got in games are paid outthrough the coin payout chute 17 to the coin tray 16. Here, to thecashout button 7, a cashout switch 63 (mentioned hereinafter) isattached and a switch signal is output to the CPU 50 from the cashoutswitch 63 based on press of the cashout button 7.

The help button 8 is pressed when the player cannot understand gameoperation method, and when the help button 8 is pressed, various helpinformation is displayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3 or thelower liquid crystal display 4. To this help button 8, a help switch 64(mentioned hereinafter) is attached and a switch signal is output to theCPU 50 from the help switch 64 based on press of the help button 8.

To the coin insertion slot 9, a coin sensor 65 (mentioned hereinafter)is positioned, and when the coin is inserted in the coin insertion slot9 a coin detection signal is output to the CPU 50 through the coinsensor 65. And to the bill insertion portion 10 a bill sensor 66(mentioned hereinafter) is positioned, and when the bill is inserted inthe bill insertion portion 10 a bill detection signal is output to theCPU 50 through the bill sensor 66.

As for the 1-BET button 11, every the 1-BET button is pressed one creditis betted, and to the 1-BET button 11, a 1-BET switch 59 is attached andwhen the 1-BET button 11 is pressed a switch signal is output to the CPU50 from the 1-BET switch 59 based on press of the 1-BET button 11.

The SPIN/REPEAT BET button 12 is the button to start games from thepresent bet number or the previous bet number by press thereof, therebyvariable display of the symbols is started on the variable displayportions 22 to 24 of the lower liquid crystal display 4. To theSPIN/REPEAT BET button 12, a spin switch 58 (mentioned later) isattached, and when the SPIN/REPEAT BET button 12 is pressed a switchsignal is output to the CPU 50 from the spin switch 58 based on press ofthe SPIN/REPEAT BET button 12. Here, as the bet number which can bebetted by press of the SPIN/REPEAT BET button 12, there may exist 1, 2,3 and 5 bets.

The 3-BET button 13 is the button to start games from 3 bets on thebasis of press thereof. To this 3-BET button 13, a 3-BET switch 60(mentioned hereinafter) is attached and when the 3-BET button 13 ispressed a switch signal is output to the CPU 50 from the 3-BET switch60. And the 5-BET button 14 is the button to start games from 5 bets onthe basis of press thereof. To the 5-BET button 12, a 5-BET switch 61 isattached and when the 5-BET button is pressed a switch signal is outputto the CPU 50 from the 5-BET switch 61 on the basis of press thereof.

Further, at the lower part of the cabinet 2, the coin payout chute 17 isformed and the coin tray 16 to receive coins paid out from the coinpayout chute 17 is provided. In the coin payout chute 17, a coindetection part 73 constructed from a sensor and the like is positionedand the coin detection part 73 detects the number of coins paid out fromthe coin payout chute 17.

Next, it will be described a detailed construction of the lower liquidcrystal display 4 and reels rotatably arranged behind the lower liquidcrystal display 4 in the cabinet 2, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the lower liquid crystaldisplay and the reels, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of thelower liquid crystal display 4.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower liquid crystal display 4 is arranged withina display window 21 of a device front panel 20 positioned at the frontcenter part of the cabinet 2 in the slot machine 1, with a touch panel30 arranged at the front side (the left side in FIG. 2) of the lowerliquid crystal display 4. And at the rear side (the right side in FIG.2) of the lower liquid crystal display 4, three reels 220 (only one reel220 is indicated in FIG. 2) are supported in a parallel state so thatthe reels 220 become independently rotatable.

That is to say, as shown in FIG. 2, the lower liquid crystal display 4is arranged in front of three reels 220. And a base game mentioned lateris conducted on the reels 220 which can be seen through the lower liquidcrystal display 4.

Here, each reel 220 will be described. Among three reels 220, the leftreel 220 when seen from the front plane of the slot machine 1 faces to adisplay portion 22 (see FIG. 1) formed in the lower liquid crystaldisplay 4, the center reel 220 faces to a display portion 23 (seeFIG. 1) similarly formed in the lower liquid crystal display 4 and theright reel 220 faces to a display portion 24 (see FIG. 1) similarlyformed in the lower liquid crystal display 4.

Here, construction of each of the variable display portions 22 to 24will be described hereinafter.

Next, construction of the lower liquid crystal display 4 will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3A˜3I. In FIGS. 2 and 3A˜3I, thelower liquid crystal display 4 is constructed by arranging from thefront side of the slot machine 1; the transparent touch panel 30, thereel glass base 31, the bezel metal frame 32, the transparent liquidcrystal panel 33, the liquid crystal holder 34, the diffusion sheet 35,the light guiding plate 36, the white reflector 37, the rear holder 38and the antistatic sheet 39. In the diffusion sheet 35, three openings35A, 35B, 35C are formed. Similarly, in the light guiding plate 36, thereflector 37 and the rear holder 38, three openings 36A, 36B, 36C, 37A,37B, 37C, 38A, 38B, 38C are formed respectively, so as to coincide withthe openings 35A, 35B, 35C. Here, the openings 35A˜38A construct thevariable display portion 22 (see FIG. 1) by superimposing so as tocoincide with each other. Similarly, the openings 35B˜38B construct thevariable display portion 23 (see FIG. 1) by superimposing so as tocoincide with each other and the openings 35C˜38C construct the variabledisplay portion 24 (see FIG. 1) by superimposing so as to coincide witheach other.

Here, the openings 35A˜35C of the diffusion sheet 35 and the openings36A˜36C of the light guiding plate 36 construct the light transmittingareas to retain visibility of the variable display portions 22 to 24.

In order to install the lower liquid crystal display 4 to the displaywindow 210 of the device front panel 20, as shown in FIG. 2, brackets 40are screwed to the rear side of the device front panel 20 by screws 410.

And at an upper and lower ends of the light guiding plate 36, a pair ofcathode ray tubes 420 are arranged as light source of the liquid crystalpanel 33. And at an upper and lower positions in the rear side of eachof openings 38A˜38C in the holder 38, a pair of cold cathode ray tubes430 may be arranged.

The liquid crystal panel 33 is a transparent electric display panel onwhich transparent electrodes such as Ito are formed, and thecircumference in rear side of the display portion of the liquid crystalpanel 33 is held by the liquid crystal holder 34. The light guidingplate 36 is made of the light transmitting resin panel, and in the lightguiding plate 36 lens cut portions are formed, the lens cut portionsguiding light emitted from the cathode ray tubes 420 positioned at sidepositions to the rear side of the liquid crystal panel 33. The lightdiffusion sheet 35 is made from a light transmitting resin sheet anddiffuses light led thereto by the light guiding plate 36 and levelslight irradiated to the liquid crystal panel 33. The liquid crystalholder 34 for holding the liquid crystal panel 33, the diffusion sheet35 and the light guiding plate 36 are assembled into one-piececonstruction and circumference thereof is inserted in the bezel metalframe 32. Thereby, the front side of the display portion in the liquidcrystal panel 33 is retained by the bezel metal frame 32.

Circumferences of the liquid crystal holder 34, the light diffusionsheet 35 and the light guiding plate 36, which are inserted in the bezelmetal frame 32 and assembled into one-piece construction, is furtherinserted in the reel glass base 31 and retained by the reel glass base31 in a state that the front display plane of the liquid crystal panel33 is opened. The transparent touch panel 30 is pressed to the frontface of the reel glass base 31 and superimposed on the front face ofdisplay portion of the liquid crystal panel 33 based on that the reelglass base 31 is attached to the device front panel 20 by screws 410.

The rear holder 38 is made from a white resin plate and retains to thereel glass base 31 the bezel metal frame 32 supported to the reel glassbase 31, the liquid crystal holder 34 holding the liquid crystal panel33, the light diffusion sheet 35 and the light guiding plate 36 from therear sides thereof. The rear holder 38 also functions as a reflectingplate for reflecting light emitted from the cathode ray tubes 420 to thelight guiding plate 36 toward the liquid crystal panel 33. Theantistatic sheet 39 is made transparent and adhered to the rear plane ofthe rear holder 38 by double-sided adhesive tape, thereby the antistaticsheet 39 covers the rear plane of each of the openings 38A˜38C formed inthe rear holder 38.

On an outer periphery of each reel 220, various symbols shown in FIG. 6are formed, the symbols being used in the base game. FIG. 6 is anexplanatory view showing symbol columns each of which is formed on theouter periphery of each reel 220 and which are variably displayed oneach of variable display portions 22 to 24 made transparent on the lowerliquid crystal display 4 while being scrolled in the base game. In FIG.6, the symbol column 41 is the symbol column which is variably displayedon the variable display portion 22, the symbol column 42 is the symbolcolumn which is variably displayed on the variable display portion 23,the symbol column 43 is the symbol column which is variably displayed onthe variable display portion 24.

Here, the symbol columns 41 and 43 commonly have the same arrangement ofthe symbols and such arrangement of the symbols is constructed fromeleven symbols in which the triple BAR 91, the cherry 92, the double BAR93, the symbol seven 94, the single BAR 95 and the blank (no symbolexists) 96 are voluntarily combined.

And although the symbol column 42 is as same as the symbol column 41 and43 at the point that the triple BAR 91, the cherry 92, the double BAR93, the symbol seven 94, the single Bar 95 and the blank 96 arecombined, one trigger symbol 97 is further arranged in the symbol column42. This trigger symbol 97, as mentioned hereinafter, functions as asymbol to shift to the bonus game in the base game, and when the triggersymbol 97 is stopped and displayed on the pay line L in the variabledisplay portion 23, the game state shifts to the bonus game from thebase game.

And formation of the symbols on the outer periphery of the reel 220 isgenerally done as follows. First, symbols and blanks (total number ofwhich is 11) are printed on a long reel sheet having a width and alength corresponding to the width and the periphery length of the reel220, respectively. And such reel sheet is adhered on the peripheralplane of the reel 220. Of course, the symbols may be formed by differentmethod other than the above method.

Here, when the symbol columns 41 to 43, which are scrolled on thevariable display portions 22 to 24 respectively, are stopped anddisplayed thereon, three symbols are stopped and displayed on each ofthe variable display portions 22 to 24.

And various winning combinations are set beforehand based on a pluralityof symbol combinations and when the symbol combination corresponding tothe winning combination is stopped on the pay line L, coins are paid outfrom the coin payout chute 17 according to the winning combination. Theabove mentioned points are as same as those in the conventional slotmachine, therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, it will be described a construction of the control system in theslot machine 1 with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a block diagramschematically showing the control system in the slot machine 1.

In FIG. 4, the control system of the slot machine 1 is basicallyconstructed from the CPU 50, and a ROM 51 and a RAM 52 are connected tothe CPU 50. The ROM 51 stores a main process program mentioned later, abase game process program, a bonus game process program, a lottery tableutilized in a lottery of the symbols stopped and displayed in the basegame, various programs necessary for controlling the slot machine 1 andvarious data tables and the like. And the RAM 52 is a memory fortemporarily storing various data calculated by the CPU 50.

And to the CPU 50, a clock pulse generator 53 for generating standardclock pulses and a frequency divider 54 are connected, and a randomnumber generator 55 and a sampling circuit 56 are also connected. Randomnumber sampled by the random number generator 56 is utilized in variouslotteries of the winning combinations and the like. Further, to the CPU50, the spin switch 58 attached to the SPIN (SPIN/REPEAT BET) button 12,the 1-BET switch 59 attached to the 1-BET button 11, the 3-BET switch 60attached to the 3-BET button 13, the 5-BET switch 61 attached to the5-BET button 14, the change switch 62 attached to the change button 6,the cashout switch 63 attached to the cashout button 7 and the helpswitch 64 attached to the help button 8 are connected respectively. TheCPU 50 controls the slot machine 1 to execute various operationscorresponding to each button, based on the switch signal output fromeach switch when such buttons are pressed.

To the CPU 50, three stepping motors 68 for rotating each of the reels220 through a motor drive circuit 167 are connected, and also a reelposition detection circuit 69 is connected. When a motor drive signal isoutput to the motor drive circuit 167, each stepping motor 68 is drivento rotate by the motor drive circuit 167, thereby each reel 220 isrotated.

At that time, after each reel 22 is started to rotate, the number ofdrive pulses provided to each stepping motor 68 is calculated and thecalculated value is written in the predetermined area of the RAM 52. Andthe reset pulse is output every one rotation of the reel 220 and suchreset pulse is input to the CPU 50 through the reel position detectioncircuit 69. When the reset pulse is input to the CPU 50, the calculatedvalue written in the RAM 52 is cleared in “0”, and the CPU 50 recognizesthe symbol rotational position in the reel 220, based on the calculatedvalue corresponding to the rotational position of the reel 220 withinone rotation and the symbol table in which the rotational position ofthe reel 22 stored in the ROM 51 and the symbols formed on outerperipheral plane of the reel 22 are corresponded with each other.

Further, to the CPU 50, the coin sensor 65 positioned in the coininsertion slot 9 and the bill sensor 66 positioned in the bill insertionportion 10 are connected respectively. The coin sensor 65 detects coinsinserted from the coin insertion slot 9 and the CPU 50 calculates thenumber of inserted coins based on the coin detection signal output fromthe coin sensor 65. The bill sensor 66 detects the kind and sum of billand the CPU 50 calculates the number of coins equivalent to sum of bill,based on the bill detection signal output from the bill sensor 66.

To the CPU 50, a hopper 71 is connected through a hopper drive circuit70. When a drive signal is output to the hopper circuit 70 from the CPU50, the hopper 71 pays out predetermined number of coins from the coinpayout chute 17

And to the CPU 50, a coin detection part 73 is connected through apayout completion signal circuit 72. The coin detection part 73 isarranged in the coin payout chute 17 and when the coin detection part 73detects that a predetermined number of coins are paid out from the coinpayout chute 17, the payout completion signal is output to the payoutcompletion signal circuit 72 from the coin detection part 73. Based onthis, the payout completion signal circuit 72 outputs the payoutcompletion signal to the CPU 50. Further, to the CPU 50, the upperliquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4 areconnected through a liquid crystal drive circuit 74. The upper liquidcrystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4 are controlledby the CPU 50.

At this point of view, as shown in FIG. 5, the liquid crystal drivecircuit 74 is constructed from a program ROM 81, an image ROM 82, animage control CPU 83, a work RAM 84, a VDP (Video Display Processor) 85and a video RAM 86. And in the program ROM 81, an image control programconcerning with display on the upper liquid crystal display 3 and thelower liquid crystal display 4 and various selection tables are stored.Further, in the image ROM 82, for example, it is stored dot data forforming images displayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3 and thelower liquid crystal display 4. And the image control CPU 83 determinesimages displayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lowerliquid crystal display 4 among the dot data stored in the image ROM 82beforehand, according to the image control program stored in the programROM 81 based on parameters set by the CPU 50. And the work RAM 84functions as the temporary memory when the above image control programis executed by the image control CPU 83. Further, the VDP 85 formsimages corresponding to display contents determined by the image controlCPU 83 and outputs the images to the upper liquid crystal display 3 andthe lower liquid crystal display 4. Here, the video RAM 86 functions asthe temporary memory when images are formed by the VDP 85.

And to the CPU 50, LEDs 78 are connected through a LED drive circuit 77.A plurality of LEDs 78 are arranged on the front plane of the slotmachine 1 and the LEDs 78 are controlled so as to turn on based on thedrive signals from the CPU 50. Further, a speaker 80 and a sound outputcircuit 79 are connected to the CPU 50 and the speaker 80 producesvarious effective sounds when various effects are conducted based on theoutput signal from the sound output circuit 79.

And to the CPU 50, the lamp 15 is connected through a lamp drive circuit75. The lamp 15 is disposed on the upper plane of the slot machine 1(see FIG. 1) and when the change button 6 is pressed, the lamp 15 iscontrolled so as to turn on through the lamp drive circuit 75 based onthe drive signal from the CPU 50.

And to the CPU 50, the transparent touch panel 30 is connected through atouch panel drive circuit 67. The transparent touch panel 30 is disposedon the image plane of the lower liquid crystal display 4 and it can bedetermined on the transparent touch panel 30 a portion touched by thefinger of the player and a moving direction of the touched portionthrough the touch panel drive circuit 67, based on the coordinateposition information of the portion touched by the finger of the player.

Therefore, concerning with a rotation scroll bar 121 (mentioned later)displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4 as shown in FIGS. 10 and11 and concerning with the rotation scroll bar 121 and a scroll bar 124to magnify and reduce displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4 asshown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the CPU 50 can determine the directions alongwhich the finger of the player traces the scroll bars 121, 124, byutilizing the touch panel drive circuit 67 and the transparent touchpanel 30.

Further, concerning with a scroll bar 122 for rightward and leftwarddirections and a scroll bar 123 for upward and downward directionsdisplayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4 as shown in FIGS. 19 and20, the CPU 50 can determine the directions along which the finger ofthe player traces the scroll bars 122, 123, by utilizing the touch paneldrive circuit 67 and the transparent touch panel 30.

And concerning with touch button areas 111˜115 displayed on the lowerliquid crystal display 4 as shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and touch button areas114˜116 displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4 as shown inFIGS. 22, 23, the CPU 50 can determine by utilizing the touch paneldrive circuit 67 and the transparent touch panel 30 that the playertouches the above touch button areas.

Here, in a case that the base game is conducted in the slot machine 1,the lottery table utilized when the symbols stopped and displayed on thepay line L are determined will be described with reference to FIG. 8.FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the lottery table based on whichthe symbols to be stopped and displayed on three variable displayportions 22 to 24 are determined when the base game is conducted whileutilizing three variable display portions 22 to 24.

At this point, the symbols stopped and displayed on the pay line L aredetermined every each reel of three reels 220. In order to realize this,one of the code numbers “0”˜“10” is allotted from the upper position tothe lower position to each symbol in the symbol columns 41 to 43 everyreel 220 shown in FIG. 6, and it is provided the lottery table shown inFIG. 8. Further, three random number values are sampled corresponding toeach of three reels 220, through the random number sampling circuit 56.

Here, in FIG. 8, for explanatory convenience, the reel 220 on which thesymbol column 41, which can be seen through the left variable displayportion 22, is formed is indicated as the “left reel”, the reel 220 onwhich the symbol column 43, which can be seen through the right variabledisplay portion 24, is formed is indicated as the “right” reel” and thereel 220 on which the symbol column 42, which can be seen through thecenter variable portion 23, is formed is indicated as the “center reel”.

As for the “left reel” corresponding to the symbol column 41 of the leftvariable display portion 22, if the random number value sampled by therandom number sampling circuit 56 lies in a range of 0˜15, the blank 96allotted to the code number “0” is stopped and displayed on the pay lineL. And if the random number value lies in a range of 16˜25, the tripleBAR 91 allotted to the code number “1” is stopped and displayed on thepay line L, and if the random number value lies in a range of 26˜36, thecherry 92 allotted to the code number “2” is stopped and displayed onthe pay line L. If the random number value lies in a range of 37˜46, thedouble BAR 93 allotted to the code number “3” is stopped and displayedon the pay line L, and if the random number value lies in a range of47˜52, the symbol seven 94 allotted to the code number “4” is stoppedand displayed on the pay line L. If the random number value lies in arange of 53˜63, the single BAR 95 allotted to the code number “5” isstopped and displayed on the pay line L, and if the random number valuelies in range of 64˜80, the blank 96 allotted to the code number “6” isstopped and displayed on the pay line L. If the random number value liesin a range of 81˜91, the triple BAR allotted to the code number “7” isstopped and displayed on the pay line L, and if the random number valuelies in a range of 92˜103, the double BAR 93 allotted to the code number“8” is stopped and displayed on the pay line L. If the random numbervalue lies in a range of 104˜115, the symbol seven 94 allotted to thecode number “9” is stopped and displayed on the pay line L, and if therandom number value lies in a range of 116˜127, the single BAR 95allotted to the code number “10” is stopped and displayed on the payline L.

And as for the “right reel” corresponding to the symbol column 43 of theright variable display portion 24, there is the same relation as that inthe above left reel. And if the random number value sampled by therandom number sampling circuit 56 lies in a range of 0˜15, the blank 96allotted to the code number “0” is stopped and displayed on the pay lineL. And if the random number value lies in a range of 16˜25, the tripleBAR 91 allotted to the code number “1” is stopped and displayed on thepay line L, and if the random number value lies in a range of 26˜36, thecherry 92 allotted to the code number “2” is stopped and displayed onthe pay line L. If the random number value lies in a range of 37˜46, thedouble BAR 93 allotted to the code number “3” is stopped and displayedon the pay line L, and if the random number value lies in a range of47˜52, the symbol seven 94 allotted to the code number “4” is stoppedand displayed on the pay line L. If the random number value lies in arange of 53˜63, the single BAR 95 allotted to the code number “5” isstopped and displayed on the pay line L, and if the random number valuelies in range of 64˜80, the blank 96 allotted to the code number “6” isstopped and displayed on the pay line L. If the random number value liesin a range of 81˜91, the triple BAR allotted to the code number “7” isstopped and displayed on the pay line L, and if the random number valuelies in a range of 92˜103, the double BAR 93 allotted to the code number“8” is stopped and displayed on the pay line L. If the random numbervalue lies in a range of 104˜115, the symbol seven 94 allotted to thecode number “9” is stopped and displayed on the pay line L, and if therandom number value lies in a range of 116˜127, the single BAR 95allotted to the code number “10” is stopped and displayed on the payline L.

On the other hand, as for the “center reel” corresponding tocorresponding to the symbol column 42 of the center variable displayportion 23, if the random number value sampled by the random numbersampling circuit 56 is 0 (zero), the trigger symbol 97 allotted to thecode number “0” is stopped and displayed on the pay line L. And if therandom number value lies in a range of 1˜15, the triple BAR 91 allottedto the code number “1” is stopped and displayed on the pay line L, andif the random number value lies in a range of 16˜20, the cherry 92allotted to the code number “2” is stopped and displayed on the pay lineL. And if the random number value lies in a range of 21˜32, the doubleBAR 93 allotted to the code number “3” is stopped and displayed on thepay line L, and if the random number value lies in a range of 33˜45, thesymbol seven 94 allotted to the code number “4” is stopped and displayedon the pay line L. And if the random number value lies in a range of46˜53, the single BAR 95 allotted to the code number “5” is stopped anddisplayed on the pay line L, and if the random number value lies in arange of 54˜64, the blank 96 allotted to the code number “6” is stoppedand displayed on the pay line L. And if the random number value lies ina range of 65˜71, the triple BAR 91 allotted to the code number “7” isstopped and displayed on the pay line L, and if the random number valuelies in a range of 72˜82, the double BAR 93 allotted to the code number“8” is stopped and displayed on the pay line L. And the random numbervalue lies in a range of 83˜120, the symbol seven 94 allotted to thecode number “9” is stopped and displayed on the pay line L, and if therandom number value lies in a range of 121˜127, the single BAR 95allotted to the code number “10” is stopped and displayed on the payline L.

Next, in a case that the base game is conducted by utilizing threevariable display portions 22 to 24 in the slot machine 1, the winningcombinations and payouts thereof will be described with reference toFIG. 9. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing correspondence betweenwinning combinations and payouts when the base game is conducted whileutilizing three variable display portions 22 to 24. In FIG. 9, in a casethat the code number of the center reel is “0” (zero) and the codenumbers of the right reel and the left reel are any of “1” to “10”, thebonus game is won. In this case, the trigger symbol 97 is stopped anddisplayed on the pay line L in the variable display portion 23 and thepayout thereof is “500”, thereby the game state shifts to the bonus gamefrom the base game. Here, the bonus game is the game which is conductedafter the base game is finished and the bonus game is generally madebeneficial for the player in many cases.

And if the code numbers of the right reel, the center reel and the leftreel are “4” or “9”, the winning combination “7-7-7” is won. In thiscase, the symbol seven 94 is stopped and displayed on the pay line L ineach of the variable display portions 22, 23 and 24, and the payoutthereof is “100”. And if the code numbers of the right reel, the centerreel and the left reel are “1” or “7”, the winning combination“3BAR-3BAR-3BAR” is won. In this case, the 3 BAR 91 is stopped anddisplayed on the pay line L in each of the variable display portions 22,23 and 24, and the payout thereof is “5”. And if the code numbers of theright reel, the center reel and the left reel are “3” or “8”, thewinning combination “2BAR-2BAR-2BAR” is won. In this case, the 2 BAR 93is stopped and displayed on the pay line L in each of the variabledisplay portions 22, 23 and 24, and the payout thereof is “3”. And ifthe code numbers of the right reel, the center reel and the left reelare “5” or “10”, the winning combination “1BAR-1BAR-1BAR” is won. Inthis case, the 1 BAR 95 is stopped and displayed on the pay line L ineach of the variable display portions 22, 23 and 24, and the payoutthereof is “2”. And if the code numbers of the right reel, the centerreel and the left reel are “2”, the winning combination“cherry-cherry-cherry” is won. In this case, the cherry 92 is stoppedand displayed on the pay line L in each of the variable display portions22, 23 and 24, and the payout thereof is “1”.

Here, if the combination of the code numbers in the right reel, thecenter reel and the left reel is a combination other than the abovecombinations, the winning combination is lost. In this case, any one ofthe triple BAR 91, the cherry 92, the double BAR 93, the symbol seven94, the single BAR 95 and the blank 96, each of which corresponds toeach code number is stopped and displayed on the pay line L in each ofthe variable display portions 22, 23 and 24, and the payout thereof isnothing.

Next, the bonus game will be described. The bonus game is, as mentionedin the above, a game which is shifted from the base game when thetrigger symbol 97 is stopped and displayed on the pay line L in thevariable display portion 23 during the base game. Here, right after thegame state shifts to the bonus game from the base game, an island 3Dimage is displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4 as shown inFIG. 10. At this point, a rotation scroll bar 121 is displayed on thelower liquid crystal display 4 and when the player traces the rotationscroll bar 121 by the finger, the view point is moved to the directiontraced. Thereby, the island 3D image displayed on the lower liquidcrystal display 4 can be moved and rotated. Therefore, by utilizing therotation scroll bar 121, for example, an image of an opposite side ofthe island (the opposite side of the island cannot be seen), which isnot displayed in FIG. 10, can be displayed on the lower liquid crystaldisplay 4 as show in FIG. 11.

Here, describing the rotation scroll bar 121 in detail, as shown in FIG.24, the rotation scroll bar 121 displayed on the lower liquid crystaldisplay 4 and peripheral thereof are divided into six areas 121A, 121B,121C, 121D, 121E and 121F.

And in a case that it is determined through the touch panel drivecircuit 67 that the player traces the area 121A by the finger, theisland 3D image displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4 can bemoved and rotated in the right direction with high speed. And if it isdetermined through the touch panel drive circuit 67 that the playertraces the area 121B by the finger, the island 3D image displayed on thelower liquid crystal display 4 can be moved and rotated in the rightdirection with medium speed. Further, if it is determined through thetouch panel drive circuit 67 that the player traces the area 121C by thefinger, the island 3D image displayed on the lower liquid crystaldisplay 4 can be moved and rotated in the right direction with lowspeed.

In addition, if it is determined through the touch panel drive circuit67 that the player traces the area 121D by the finger, the island 3Dimage displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4 can be moved androtated in the left direction with high speed. And if it is determinedthrough the touch panel drive circuit 67 that the player traces the area121E by the finger, the island 3D image displayed on the lower liquidcrystal display 4 can be moved and rotated in the left direction withmedium speed. Further, if it is determined through the touch panel drivecircuit 67 that the player traces the area 121F by the finger, theisland 3D image displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4 can bemoved and rotated in the left direction with low speed.

That is to say, by the rotation scroll bar 121 and six areas 121A, 121B,121C, 121D, 121E and 121F formed in the periphery of the rotation scrollbar 121, the island 3D image displayed on the lower liquid crystaldisplay 4 can be moved and rotated in the right direction or the leftdirection with any one of the high, medium and low speeds.

And in the island 3D image displayed on the lower liquid crystal display4, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a plurality of touch button areas111˜115 are displayed so as to correspond to each of various points inthe island. At this point, right after the game state shifts to thebonus game, three touch button areas 111˜113 are displayed in the island3D image displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4 as shown inFIG. 10, and the other touch button areas 114 and 115 are not displayed.Therefore, in order that the player discovers the touch button areas114, 115, it is required that the island 3D image displayed on the lowerliquid crystal display 4 is rotated so that the display state shiftsfrom the state in FIG. 10 to the state in FIG. 11 by tracing therotation scroll bar 121 by the finger. At that time, as shown in FIG.11, in the island 3D image displayed on the lower liquid crystal display4, two touch button areas 114 and 115 are displayed and the other touchbutton areas 111˜113 are not displayed.

Further, to the plural touch button areas 111˜115, names each of whichcorresponds to each of the island points are displayed in English.Concretely speaking, the touch button area 111 is displayed as “DEEPJUNGLE” near the deep forest in the island. And the touch button area112 is displayed as “SECRET CAVE” near the secluded cave in the island.Further, the touch button area 113 is displayed as “ROCKY PASS” near thepass of the rocky mountain in the island. And the touch button area 114is displayed as “STEEP MOUNTAIN” near the steep mountain in the island.Further, the touch button area 115 is displayed as “GOLDEN PALACE” nearthe golden palace in the island.

And in the bonus game, when the player touches any one of the pluraltouch button areas 111˜115 by the finger, items which correspond to eachof the points in the island and concern therewith are arranged likecheckers and displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4. Forexample, when the player touches the touch button area 115 by thefinger, treasure boxes which are the items concerning with the goldenpalace (GOLDEN PALACE) are arranged like checkers and displayed on thelower liquid crystal display 4 as shown in FIG. 19.

At this point, the treasure box arranged like checkers and displayed onthe lower liquid crystal display 4 is arranged in each of the checkersformed in the display sheet 101 shown in FIG. 7, the display sheet 101being stored in the work RAM 84. However, right after the player touchesthe touch button area 115 by the finger, the treasure boxes displayed onthe lower liquid crystal 4 are only the treasure boxes arranged withinthe lower liquid crystal display window 4W as shown in FIG. 13. Here,based on that the player traces the scroll bar 122 for rightward andleftward direction or the scroll bar 123 for upward and downwarddirections displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4 by thefinger, the lower liquid crystal display window 4W can be moved alongthe direction traced. Therefore, by utilizing the scroll bar 122 forrightward and leftward directions or the scroll bar 123 for upward anddownward directions, any of the treasure boxes arranged in the displaysheet 101 can be displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4.

And any one of payouts (“100”, “50”, “30”, “20”, “10” and “skull mark”(termination of the bonus game)) shown in FIG. 12 is allotted to each ofthe treasure boxes arranged in the checkers of the display sheet 101 bythe lottery, and based on that the player touches any one of thetreasure boxes displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4 by thefinger, one of the treasure boxes displayed on the lower liquid crystaldisplay 4 is selected through the transparent touch panel 30 (see FIGS.2 and 4). Thereby, the payout allotted to the selected treasure box isdisplayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3 as shown in FIG. 20.

That is to say, by utilizing the scroll bar 122 for rightward andleftward directions and the scroll bar 123 for upward and downwarddirections, concerning with the treasure boxes arranged in the displaysheet 101, it can be realized that the treasure boxes not displayed canbe made display and the treasure boxes displayed can be made not displayon the lower liquid crystal display 4.

And in this bonus game, selection of the treasure box on the lowerliquid crystal display 4 can be continuously done till the payoutallotted to the treasure box selected becomes the “skull mark”(termination of the bonus game), and the player can obtain all payoutsdisplayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3 till then as the payoutof the bonus game.

Here, in the above, although it is described a case that the playertouches the touch button area 115 by the finger, the same operation isdone even in a case that the player touches any one of the touch buttonareas 111˜114 by the finger. Of course, in such case, the itemscorresponding to each of the points in the island and concerningtherewith are arranged like checkers and displayed, and the player canobtain all payouts displayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3 asthe payout of the bonus game, according to selection of the items on thelower liquid crystal display 4.

In addition to the above, the main process program executed in the slotmachine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is aflowchart of the main process program. In FIG. 14, at first, in step(abbreviated as “S” hereinafter) 11, start acceptance process in FIG. 15mentioned later is done. This start acceptance process is the process toaccept the switch signal output from the spin switch 58, the 1-BETswitch 59, the 3-BET switch 60 or the 5-BET switch 61, based onoperation of the SPIN/REPEAT BET button 12, the 1-BET button 11, the3-BET button or the 5-BET button 14. At the time that the switch signaloutput from each switch is accepted, the game is started.

And in S12, the lottery process in FIG. 16 mentioned later is done basedon the switch signal output from the spin switch 58, the 1-BET switch59, the 3-BET switch 60 or the 5-BET switch 61.

Here, if the trigger symbol is won and the bonus game is triggered, thenumber of times that the bonus games are continuously executed isdetermined, and such number of times is selected, for example, among 10games, 20 games and 30 games by the lottery.

In S13, the base game process shown in FIG. 17 is done. Thereafter,procedure shifts to S14 and it is determined whether the bonus game isrealized or not. Concretely speaking, in the lottery process in S12, ifthe random number value of the center reel sampled by the random numbersampling circuit 56 is “0” (zero), the bonus game is realized (S14:YES), therefore procedure shifts to S15 and the bonus game realizationflag stored in the RAM 52 is made ON and, for example, the phrase “BONUSGAME IS REALIZED” is displayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3,thereby display indicating realization of the bonus game is done. Andthe bonus game process in FIG. 18 is done in S15, thereafter the mainprocess program is finished. On the other hand, if the random numbervalue of the center reel sampled by the random number sampling circuit56 in the lottery process in S12 lies in a range of 1˜127, the bonusgame is not realized (S14: NO), therefore the main process program isfinished.

Next, the start acceptance process program done in the slot machine 1will be with reference to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing astart acceptance process program. In S11 of the main process programshown in FIG. 14, the start acceptance process is done. Concretely, atfirst, in S21 in FIG. 15, it is determined whether a predetermined time(for example, 15 seconds) is elapsed or not. Here, if it is determinedthat the predetermined time is not elapsed (S21: NO), procedure directlyshifts to S23. On the other hand, if it is determined that thepredetermined time is elapsed (S21: YES), the demonstration effectprocess is conducted on the upper liquid crystal display 3 or the lowerliquid crystal display 4 in S22, thereafter procedure shifts to S23. Andin S23, it is determined whether or not the SPIN/REPEAT BET button 12,the 1-BET button 11, the 3-BET button 13 or the 5-BET button 14 isoperated. Here, if it is determined that one of the above buttons suchas the 1-BET button 11 and the like is not operated (S23: NO), procedurereturns to S21 and the above processes are repeated. On the other hand,if it is determined that one of the above buttons such as the 1-BETbutton 11 and the like is operated (S23: YES), procedure returns to themain process program in FIG. 14 even while the demonstration effectprocess is conducted, and procedure shifts to the lottery process inS12.

Next, the lottery process program conducted in the slot machine 1 willbe described with reference to FIG. 16. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing alottery process program. In S12 of the main process program in FIG. 14,the lottery process is done. Concretely, at first, in S31 in FIG. 16,the symbol determination process is done. Here, the symbols stopped anddisplayed on the pay line L are determined every each of the variabledisplay portions 22 to 24. Concretely, as mentioned above, three randomnumber values are sampled by the random number sampling circuit 56corresponding to each of the variable display portions 22 to 24, and thesymbols stopped and displayed are determined on the basis of the lotterytables in FIG. 8, by utilizing the code numbers. And if the symbolsstopped and displayed on the pay line L are determined, the winningcombination determination process is done in S32, thereafter procedurereturns to the main process program in FIG. 14 and shifts to the basegame process. Here, in the winning combination determination process,concretely speaking, the winning combination and the payout aredetermined on the basis of the table in FIG. 9 by utilizing the codenumbers obtained in S31.

Next, the base game process program conducted in the slot machine 1 willbe described with reference to FIG. 17. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing abase game process program. In S13 of the main process program in FIG.14, the base game process is done. Concretely, in S41 in FIG. 17, atfirst, three reels 220 in the cabinet 2 are started to rotate based onthe switch signal output from the spin switch 58, the 1-BET switch 59,the 3-BET switch 60 or the 5-BET switch 61, the switch signal beingaccepted in S11 of FIG. 14. Thereby, the symbols are scrolled in thevariable display portions 22 to 24. At that time, since the variabledisplay portions 22 to 24 are made transparent, scroll of the symbolscan be seen and recognized through the variable display portions 22 to24.

And in S42, three reels 220 in the cabinet 2 are stopped to rotate,thereby scroll of the symbols in the variable display portions 22 to 24is stopped.

And in S43, coins are paid out corresponding to the payout setbeforehand based on the table in FIG. 9, according to the symbolcombination of the winning combination which is stopped and displayed onthe variable display portions 22 to 24 in S42. Here, after the processin S43, procedure returns to the main process program and shifts to S14.

Next, the bonus game process program done in the slot machine 1 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the bonusgame process program. In S12 of the main process program in FIG. 14, ifit is determined that the bonus game is realized (S12: YES), procedureshifts to S13 in FIG. 14 and the bonus game process is done. In order torealized this, at first, procedure shifts to S51 in FIG. 18 and a firstlimb group is displayed. Concretely speaking, the first limb groupcorresponds to a plurality of the touch button areas 111˜115 shown inFIGS. 10 and 11. Right after procedure shifts to the bonus game processin FIG. 18, the lower liquid crystal display 4 is made opaque and theisland 3D image shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. As a result, three touchbutton areas 111˜113 are displayed and two touch button areas 114 and115 are not displayed. Here, as mentioned above, if the rotation scrollbar 121 is utilized, the image of the opposite side of the island (theopposite side of the island cannot be seen), which is not displayed inFIG. 10, can be displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4 as showin FIG. 11. Thereby, two touch button areas 114 and 115 can be madedisplay and three touch button areas 111˜113 can be made not display.Here, by adjusting utilization state of the rotation scroll bar 121, apart of five touch button areas 111˜115 can be made display and theremainder thereof can be made not display.

And in S52, it is determined whether or not one limb is selected amongthe first limb group. Concretely speaking, this determination is donebased on whether or not the player touches any one of the plural touchbutton areas 111˜115 displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4 bythe finger. At that time, if it is determined that one limb is notselected from the first limb group (S52: NO), procedure returns to S51and both the island 3D image and a part of the plural touch button areas111˜115 are continuously displayed on the lower liquid crystal display4. On the other hand, if it is determined that one limb is selected fromthe first limb group (S52: YES), procedure shifts to S53.

And in S53, the lottery process is conducted. Concretely, for example,if the touch button area 115 is selected in the above mentioned S52, thetreasure boxes of the items concerning with the golden palace (GOLDENPALACE) displayed in the touch button area 115 are arranged in thecheckers formed in the display sheet 101 and any one of payouts (“100”,“50”, “30”, “20”, “10” and “skull mark” (termination of the bonus game))shown in FIG. 12 is allotted to each of the checkers formed in thedisplay sheet 101 by the lottery conducted by the random numbergenerator 55 and the random number sampling circuit 56. Here, in thislottery, the payout of the “skull mark” (termination of the bonus game)is certainly allotted to at least one of the plural checkers formed inthe display sheet 101.

Here, the lottery process in S53 may be done right after procedureshifts to the bonus game shown in FIG. 18. In this case, any one ofpayouts (“100”, “50”, “30”, “20”, “10” and “skull mark” (termination ofthe bonus game)) shown in FIG. 12 is allotted to each of the checkersformed in the display sheet 101 by the lottery conducted by the randomnumber generator 55 and the random number sampling circuit 56. Further,the items concerning with the touch button area selected among the touchbutton areas 111˜115 are arranged in the checkers formed in the displaysheet 101 in S54 mentioned later.

And in S54, a second limb group is displayed. Concretely speaking, thissecond limb group corresponds to the item concerning with the point ofthe island corresponding to the touch button area selected among thetouch button areas 111˜115. At this point, for example, if the touchbutton area 115 is selected in the above mentioned S52, the treasureboxes, which are the items concerning with the golden palace (GOLDENPALACE) of the touch button area 115, are arranged in the checkersformed in the display sheet 101 and a part of the treasure boxes isarranged like checkers on the lower liquid crystal display 4 as shown inFIG. 19. Here, if the scroll bar 122 for rightward and leftwarddirections or the scroll bar 123 for upward and downward directions isutilized, the lower liquid display window 4W can be moved, therebyconcerning with the treasure boxes arranged in the display sheet 101,the treasure boxes, which are not displayed on the lower liquid crystaldisplay 4, can be made display and the treasure boxes, which aredisplayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4, can be made notdisplay.

Further, in S55, it is determined whether or not one limb is selectedfrom the second limb group. Concretely speaking, for example, thisdetermination is done based on whether or not the player touches any oneof the items arranged and displayed like the checkers on the lowerliquid crystal display 4 by the finger. At that time, if it isdetermined that one limb is not selected from the second limb group(S55: NO), procedure returns to S 54 and a part of the items arecontinuously displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4. On theother hand, if it is determined that one limb is selected from thesecond limb group (S55: YES), procedure shifts to S56.

Here, as for the selected limb it is displayed that such limb is alreadyselected. Concretely speaking, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, if thesecond limb group is constructed form the treasure boxes, the selectedtreasure box is displayed in an open state on the lower liquid crystaldisplay 4 as shown in FIG. 20, thereby it is indicated that suchtreasure box is already selected. Here, it may be indicated that thetreasure box is already selected by erasing the selected treasure box orby displaying characters/marks such as “already selected” or “X” so asto superimpose with the treasure box.

And in S56, the payout process is conducted. This payout process is doneby adding the payout allotted to the selected limb from the second limbgroup to the credit. Concretely speaking, as shown in FIG. 19, in a casethat the treasure boxes are arranged like the checkers and displayed onthe lower liquid crystal display 4, and the player touches any one ofthe treasure boxes displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4 bythe finger in above mentioned S52, thereby one treasure box displayed onthe lower liquid crystal display 4 is selected through the touch panel30 (see FIGS. 2 and 4), the payout allotted to the selected treasure boxis displayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3 as shown in FIG. 20and such payout is added to the credit.

And in S57, it is determined whether or not the bonus game isterminated. Concretely speaking, this determination is done based onwhether or not the payout allotted to the limb selected in S55corresponds to the “skull mark (termination of the bonus game). At thattime, if it is determined that the bonus game is not terminated (S57:NO), procedure returns to S54 and a part of the items is continuouslydisplayed and processes in S55 and S56 are repeatedly done. On the otherhand, if it is determined that the bonus game is terminated (S57: YES),the bonus game process in FIG. 18 is terminated and procedure returns tothe main process program in FIG. 14.

As mentioned, the CPU 50 functions as “game control device” when itexecutes the main process program in FIG. 14 and functions as“preparation device” when it executes the bonus game process program inFIG. 18.

That is to say, in the slot machine of the embodiment, when procedureshifts to the bonus game, the player selects any one of the touch buttonareas 111˜115 for determining the kind of the items arranged like thecheckers and displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4, based onthe player touches the lower liquid crystal display 4 by the finger. Atthat time, by adjusting the utilization state of the rotation scroll bar121 displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4, the player canfreely conduct the operation that a part of five touch button areas111˜115 is displayed and the remainder is not displayed. Thereby, sinceselection routes of five touch button areas 111˜115 are increased,interest for the bonus game can be improved.

And any one of the payouts (“100”, “50”, “30”, “20”, “10” and “skullmark” (termination of the bonus game)) shown in FIG. 12 is allotted toeach of the items which are arranged like the checkers and displayed onthe lower liquid crystal display 4, therefore selection routes of thepayouts are increased and interest for the bonus game can be improved.

And the function of the rotation scroll bar 121 displayed on the lowerliquid crystal display 4 is realized through the touch panel drivecircuit 76 and the transparent touch panel 30, thereby if the touchpanel drive circuit 76 b and the touch panel 30 is provided in theconventional slot machine, display operation of five touch button areas111˜115 by the rotation scroll bar 121 and selection of five touchbutton areas 111˜115 can be done on the touch panel 30, thereforehardware construction is not newly required.

Here, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment andvarious modifications can be done within the scope of the presentinvention.

For example, in S51 of the bonus game process in FIG. 18, if the scrollbar 124 to magnify and reduce is displayed as shown in FIG. 22, theisland 3D image displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4 may bemagnified or reduced, based on the direction along which the playertraces the scroll bar 124 to magnify and reduce by the finger. Forexample, when the scroll bar 124 is traced from right to left by thefinger, the display state is shifts to the state that a part of theisland, which cannot be displayed in FIG. 22, is magnified and displayedas shown in the lower liquid crystal display 4 of FIG. 23, and a touchbutton area 116, in which the words “HOT SPRING” is described, isdisplayed near the hot spring which appears when magnification is done.At that time, in the island 3D image displayed on the lower liquidcrystal display 4, the touch button areas 114 and 115, which aredisplayed in FIG. 22, are not displayed. On the other hand, in thisstate, if the scroll bar 124 to magnify and reduce is traced from leftto right by the finger, the display state shifts to the state that wholeisland is reduced and displayed as shown in the lower liquid crystaldisplay 4 of FIG. 22, and the touch button areas 114 and 115 aredisplayed. At that time, in the island 3D image displayed on the lowerliquid crystal display 4, the touch button area 116, which is displayedin FIG. 23, is not displayed.

Here, if the player touches the touch button area 116 displayed on thelower liquid crystal display 4 by the finger (S52: YES), the itemsconcerning with the hot spring (HOT SPRING) are arranged like thecheckers and displayed on the lower liquid crystal 4 (S54), and on thebasis of selection of the item on the lower liquid crystal display 4(S55), the player can obtain all payouts displayed on the upper liquidcrystal display 3 as the payout of the bonus game (S56). This point isas same as the case of the touch button areas 111˜115.

And in the slot machine 1 of the embodiment, although termination of thebonus game is done (S57) based on whether or not the payout allotted tothe limb selected in S55 mentioned above is the “skull mark (terminationof the bonus game), the bonus game may be terminated under the conditionthat a predetermined time is elapsed in the bonus game.

Further, in the slot machine 1 of the embodiment, as mentioned, if theplayer touches any one of the plural touch button areas 111˜115 in thebonus game, the items concerning with the point of the islandcorresponding to each of the touch button areas are arranged like thecheckers and displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4. Forexample, if the player touches the touch button area 115 by the finger,the treasure boxes, which are the items concerning with the goldenpalace (GOLDEN PALACE), are arranged like the checkers and displayed onthe lower liquid crystal display 4 as shown in FIG. 19. The treasureboxes arranged like the checkers are not displayed on the upper liquidcrystal display 3. Here, as shown in FIG. 25, the treasure boxes, whichare the items concerning with the golden palace (GOLDEN PALACE), may bearranged like checkers and displayed on the upper liquid crystal display3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4.

At this point, although the treasure boxes displayed like the checkerson the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystaldisplay 4 are arranged in each of the checkers formed in the displaysheet 101 shown in FIG. 7, the display sheet 101 being stored in thework RAM 84, the treasure boxes displayed on the upper liquid crystaldisplay 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4 right after the playertouches the touch button area 115, are only the treasure boxes arrangedwithin the upper liquid crystal display window 3W and the lower liquidcrystal display window 4W, as shown in FIG. 13. Here, the upper liquidcrystal display window 3W and the lower liquid crystal display window 4Wcan be moved along the traced direction as shown in FIG. 25, based onthat the player traces the scroll bar 122 for rightward and leftwarddirections and the scroll bar 123 for upward and downward directions bythe finger. Therefore, by utilizing the scroll bar 122 for rightward andleftward directions and the scroll bar 123 for upward and downwarddirections, any of the treasure boxes arranged in the display sheet 101can be displayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lowerliquid crystal display 4.

As mentioned in the above, on the upper liquid crystal display 3 and thelower liquid crystal display 4, both being adjacently disposed in theupper and lower positions, if the items concerning with five touchbutton areas 111˜115 are arranged like the checkers and displayed,display range of the items concerning with five touch button areas111˜115 is spread, thereby selection range of the items on the lowerliquid crystal display 4 can be more widely grasped at the same time.

Here, since the touch panel 30 is not arranged on the upper liquidcrystal display 3, the treasure boxes which the player can select arelimited to the treasure boxes displayed on the lower liquid crystaldisplay 4. Therefore, when the treasure boxes which the player intendsto select are not displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4, theplayer makes the treasure boxes display on the lower liquid crystaldisplay 4 by utilizing the scroll bar 122 for rightward and leftwarddirections and the scroll bar 123 for upward and downward directions,thereafter the treasure boxes are selected based on that the playertouches them by the finger.

However, in the slot machine 1 of the embodiment, in a case that thetouch panel 30 is arranged on the upper liquid crystal display 3 and thetouch button areas 111˜116, the rotation scroll bar 121, the scroll bar122 for rightward and leftward directions, the scroll bar 123 for upwardand downward directions and the scroll bar 124 to magnify and reduce aredisplayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3, the touch button areas111˜115 can be selected, thereby the items concerning with the touchbutton areas 111˜115 can be selected.

In the slot machine 1 of the embodiment, although the symbols to bestopped on the pay line L are determined every each of the variabledisplay portions 22 to 24 (see FIG. 8) in the base game based on therandom number values sampled by the random number sampling circuit 56,all symbols to be stopped on the pay line L in each of the variabledisplay portions 22 to 24 may be determined on the basis of the randomnumber values sampled by the random number sampling circuit 56. Torealize this, the lottery table shown in FIG. 21 is utilized. FIG. 21 isan explanatory view of a lottery table showing correspondence betweenwinning combinations and payouts when the base game is conducted whileutilizing three variable display portions.

In FIG. 21, the random number value range utilized in the lottery tablefor winning combinations lies in 0˜16383. If the random number valuesampled by the random number sampling circuit 56 lies in a range of0˜140, the bonus game is won, thereby the payout of “500” can beobtained. In this case, the trigger symbol 97 is stopped and displayedon the pay line L in the variable display portion 23, thereby the gamestate can be shifted to the bonus game.

And if the random number value sampled by the random number samplingcircuit 56 lies in a range of 141˜185, the winning combination “7-7-7”is won and the payout thereof is “100”. In this case, the symbol seven94 is stopped and displayed on the pay line L in each of the variabledisplay portions 22 to 24. Similarly, if the random number value sampledlies in a range of 186˜200, the winning combination “3BAR-3BAR-3BAR” iswon and the payout thereof is “5”. In this case, the triple BAR 91 isstopped and displayed on the pay line L in each of the variable displayportions 22 to 24. And similarly, if the random number value sampledlies in a range of 201˜232, the winning combination “2BAR-2BAR-2BAR” iswon and the payout thereof is “3”. In this case, the double BAR 93 isstopped and displayed on the pay line L in each of the variable displayportions 22 to 24. Similarly, if the random number value samples lies ina range of 233˜514, the winning combination “BAR-BAR-BAR” is won and thepayout thereof is “2”. In this case, the single BAR 95 is stopped anddisplayed on the pay line L in each of the variable display portions 22to 24. Similarly, if the random number value samples lies in a range of515˜823, the winning combination “cherry-cherry-cherry” is won and thepayout thereof is “1”. In this case, the cherry 92 is stopped anddisplayed on the pay line L in each of the variable display portions 22to 24.

Here, if the random number value sampled lies in a range of 824˜16383,the winning combinations is lost. In this case, the symbol combinationother than the above mentioned combinations is stopped and displayed onthe pay line L and the payout thereof is nothing.

The present invention can be adopted to one embodiment in which the gamein the bonus mode is executed continuously to the base mode.

1. A gaming machine in which a base game and a bonus game are conducted,the bonus game being conducted when a predetermined result is obtainedin the base game, the gaming machine comprising: a preparation devicefor preparing a plurality of limbs belonging to a first limb group inthe bonus game, each of the limbs corresponding to individual effectcontents; a display device for displaying a part of the limbs in thefirst limb group; a first operation device for operating the displaydevice so that a remainder except for the part of the limbs in the firstlimb group is displayed on the display device; a first selection devicefor selecting at least one of limbs in the first limb group displayed onthe display device, the limbs including the part and the remainderthereof; and a game control device for processing the bonus gameaccording to the effect contents corresponding to the limb selected bythe first selection device.
 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1,further comprising: a touch panel arranged on the display device;wherein the first operation device and the first selection device areconstructed on the touch panel.
 3. The gaming machine according to claim2, wherein the first operation device is constructed from a first scrollbar displayed on the display device and a touch panel portioncorresponding to the first scroll bar.
 4. The gaming machine accordingto claim 3, wherein the remainder of the limbs in the first limb groupis displayed by operating the first scroll bar.
 5. The gaming machineaccording to claim 4, wherein the preparation device prepares aplurality of limbs belonging to a second limb group when at least one oflimbs in the first limb group is selected by the first selection device,and wherein a part of the limbs in the second limb group are displayedon the display device.
 6. The gaming machine according to claim 5,wherein the second limb group corresponds to each of the limbs in thefirst limb group.
 7. The gaming machine according to claim 6, furthercomprising: a lottery device for allotting a payout to each of the limbsin the second limb group.
 8. The gaming machine according to claim 7,further comprising: a second operation device for operating the displaydevice so that a remainder except for the part of the limbs in thesecond limb group is displayed on the display device; and a secondselection device for selecting at least one of limbs in the second limbgroup displayed on the display device
 9. The gaming machine according toclaim 8, wherein the second operation device and the second selectiondevice are constructed on the touch panel.
 10. The gaming machineaccording to claim 9, wherein the second operation device is constructedfrom a second scroll bar displayed on the display device and a touchpanel portion corresponding to the second scroll bar.
 11. The gamingmachine according to claim 10, wherein the remainder of the limbs in thesecond limb group is displayed by operating the second scroll bar. 12.The gaming machine according to claim 8, wherein the display devicecomprises a first monitor on which the base game is conducted and asecond monitor arranged adjacent to the first monitor.
 13. The gamingmachine according to claim 12, wherein the limbs including the part andthe remainder in the second limb group are displayed on the firstmonitor and the limb in the second limb group selected by the secondselection device on the first monitor is displayed on the secondmonitor.
 14. The gaming machine according to claim 12, wherein the limbsincluding the part and the remainder in the second limb group aredisplayed on both the first monitor and the second monitor.